Daniel worksheet 10
The hardest word to say
In Daniel chapter 9 the author reads the Scripture, a scroll of the prophet Jeremiah. Daniel experienced a personal revival when he encountered the fulfilments of Jeremiah’s prophecy.
Daniel 9:2-3 says 2During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years. 3So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes. This text refers to Jeremiah 25:11-12 which says 11This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. 12“Then, after the seventy years of captivity are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and his people for their sins,” says the Lord. “I will make the country of the Babylonians a wasteland forever. And it refers to Jeremiah 29:10 which says This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.
The exiled nation of Israel lived in Babylon as a judgment by God for their adolatry and disobedience. Daniel gets this vision after being in Babylon for 69 years.
The captive Daniel probably also read the very familiar verse Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Better days are ahead of you, Daniel (Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.)! Ultimately, God is going to work all things together for your good, and His glory.
Q1 Do you think that Jeremiah 29:11 only applies to Israel? Why or why not.
We have to admit that we are part of the problem.
Daniel 9:7-9 (NLT) says 7“Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel,
God is right (verse 7), and if we don’t agree with Him, we are wrong.
Q2 We, in our western societies, are not ashamed of what we should be asahmed of. Often our behaviour is despicable, and we even celebrate that. Isaiah 5:20 (NLT) says What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
And 1 Timothy 4:3 (NLT) says They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods.
Can you give examples?
We can loose our sensitivity.
Ephesians 4:18-19 (NLT) says 18Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
Q3 Does God re-sensitize your conscience? Has He done that in your?
What is the hardest word to say? I have sinned.
We don’t see any sins in Daniel’s life, but he said it. Jesus said But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:15). There are sins of commission (being involved in sins in a group) and sins of omission (not doing what God has commanded).
Daniel 9:20 (NLT) says I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. That is interceding.
Is there a sin the church is guilty of? Yes, prayerlessness.
Q4 Firstly, what have you been prayer for? Scondly, where have you failed to pray for? Make a confession to God. And do something about that.
Q5 Daniel 9:21 (NLT) says 21As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. 23The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.
How quickly Daniels prayer was answered? What did the angel say to Daniel?
Q6 Three angels are mantioned by name in the bible. Who are they?
If you want to see a revival, let it start with you.
How to do that? Remember, to start with the phrase “I have sinned”. And remember, “when God is right, we are wrong”. To confess means: to agree with God. When God says “You have sinned” you better confess/agree with God “Yes, Lord I agree, I have sinned”.
Close with a prayer.